Apparatus for assembling and accumulating fillers



E. E. OLSON May 26, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1, 1962 J! R j 0 59 7 1 a Q 1% d r w 7, M w I L .FLF .L fl 4 5 J E A 6 I J 3 x J w q! 25 1GM 5 5 G T 6 F4 w F A Z 7 x A. My a m a 3 L flaw/ 2 5 w m L. 1 g; 4 F 91 0 1 6 H w AN 1 4 fl ATT y 26, 1954 E. E. OLSON 3,134,490

APPARATUS FGR ASSENEBLING AND ACCUMULATING FILLERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Oct. 1, 1962 g] 5 fi 1 70 x l n K W I g k f3. 75 x 77 79 6' 75 94g p 55 117 i/a V 55 142- 50 l GP Q I r 1 J az Lyzz 145 157 J4 14 5INVENTOR [L MFR 13 0150 BY ngk ATTORNEY y 1964 E. E OLSON 3,134,490

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING AND ACCUMULATING FILLERS Filed Oct. 1, 1962 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR LMER f. Ozsozv ATTORNEY United States Patent3,134,410 AFFARATUS FGR ASSERBLENG AND ACQUMULAT G FILLERS Elmer E.@lson, Ru binsdale, Minn, assignor to Minnesota Filler Company,Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Get. 1, 1962, Ser.No. 227,511 Claims. (Cl. 2147) This invention relates to an improvementin apparatus for assembling and accumulating fillers of the typenormally employed to divide an area into a multiplicity of individualcells.

Fillers are commonly employed for dividing a rectangular area into aplurality of individual cells, each designed to contain an article. Forexample, egg cases are usually provided with fillers which includeintersect ng strips of paperboard designed to divide a number of cells,each of which is suitable for containing an egg. These fillers areusually produced on automatic machines which attach the intersectingstrips in intersecting relation to provide a generally rectangularcellular structure. When fillers of this type are produced for sale, thefillers are usually collapsed by folding the intersecting strips ofpaperboard into substantial face contact and a predetermined number ofthese flattened fillers are tied or otherwise attached to gether andplaced in a suitable shipping container. This operation requires thecollapsing of the fillers from their rectangular outline form to agenerally flat form, and counting out the required numbers of theflattened fillers before the bundling operation. Di ficulty is caused ifthe proper number of fillers are not bundled together, as the number offillers in a bundle is usually the number of fillers required in an eggcase containing thirty dozen eggs, or in a multiple of this number. Furterrnore, as the fillers are formed at a relatively high rate of speed,considerable labor is required to flatten the individual fillers, toaccumulate a predetermined number of flattened fillers, and then tobundle the fillers.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a simpleand effective apparatus for automatically folding the fillers from theirrectangular outline shape to flat form, and for automaticallyaccumulating a predetermined number of the flattened fillers. As aresult, a single operator can take each bunch of accumulated fillers,tie this group of fillers into a bundle, and place the fillers in acontainer while the next group of fillers are being flattened andaccumulated, thus materially reducing the labor necessary to accomplishthe desired result.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of aconveyor which conveys the formed fillers in their normal rectangularform against a transversely extending conveyor which engages one end ofthe filler structure. The lateral movement of this transverse conveyoracts to move one end of the filler structure laterally relative to theother end, thus starting the collapsin operation of the conveyor. 'Asthe filler collapses, it is guided between spaced rollers which completethe collapse of the filler from rectangular form into substantially fiatform.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision ofplunger means for individually moving each collapsed filler into anaccumulator which accumulates a predetermined number of the fillers.When the desired number has been accumulated, means are provided formoving the accumulated fillers in a group to bundling position, wherethe accumulated group of fillers may be tied or otherwise securedtogether and placed in a suitable conveyor.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of anovel and effective means of holding the 3,134,490 Patented May 26, 1964collapsed fillers in upright position as they are accumulated. Thefillers are forced along a suitable platform and between the platformand a frictional support which engages the upper surfaces of the fillersto hold them normally in an upright position.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of ameans for sequentially operating the various parts of the apparatus toproduce the des red result.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention willbe more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification andclaims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus showing the generalarrangement of parts therein.

FlGURE 2 is a sectional view through a portion of the apparatus, theposition of the section being indicated by the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FEGURE 3 is an elevational View of the apparatus for discharging thecollapsed fillers when a predetermined number of fillers has beenaccumulated.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a portion of theapparatus in one position of operation.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the parts in a difierentposition of operation.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the major portion of theapparatus.

FIGURE 7 is an elevation view of the infeed end of the apparatus,showing the arrangement of parts therein.

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical Wiring and pneumaticconnections of the apparatus.

As is indicated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the apparatus A normallycomprises a portable unit including a base frame 19 supported at one endby spaced parallel wheels ll (see also FIGURE 1) and at the other end byadjustment screws 12 having bearing plates 13 at the lower ends thereof.The adjustment screws 12 provide a means of leveling the apparatus inuse.

Uprights such as 14 secured to the base frame 1!) act to support asubframe assembly 15 generally parallel to the base frame 1%. At oneside of the frame, a pair of angle members 16 project in spaced parallelrelation toward the outlet of the filler forming apparatus, notillustrated in the drawings. Braces 17 assist in holding the anglemember 1% in proper relation.

A'pair of parallel conveyor drums 19 and 20 are supported by the arms 16through the use of bearings 21 supported in spaced relation by the arms16. The drums l9 and 2% include supporting shafts 22 and 23 respectivelywhich are supported in the bearings 21. A conveyor belt 24 is supportedbetween the drums 19 and 20, the belt 24- being adjacent to thedischarge of the filler forming machine to receive fillers formedthereby.

A drive motor 25 is mounted upon the frame of the apparatus and includesa ve tical drive shaft 26. A pulley upon the drive shaft 26 is connectedby the belt 27 to the shaft 29 of a gear box 39. The driven shaft 31 ofthe gear box 3% supports a sprocket 32 or a pulley which is connected toa cooperable sprocket or pulley 33 on the shaft 22 by a chain or belt34. In this way, the motor 25 drives the conveyor belt 24.

A table or dead plate 35 is supponed by the frame of the appmatus at thedelivery end of the conveyor belt 24. A pair of vertical shafts 36 and37 are supported in suitable bearings 39 to the frame of the apparatus,as indicated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. A pulley 44? is supported uponthe shaft 37 and is connected to the motor drive shaft 27 by means of abelt 41 which encircles a suitable pulley 42 on the drive shaft.Vertically spaced pulleys are mounted upon the vertical shaft 37, andsimilar vertically spaced pulleys 4d are mounted upon the shaft 36.Belts 45 connect the pulleys 43 and the pulleys Q4. The belts 45 areabove the level of the dead plate 35 and are in the path of movement ofthe fillers B which are forced over the dead plate by the belt 24. 7

An arcuate guide 46 overlies the dead plate 35, and along one side ofthe conveyor belt 24. The ends of the guide 46 are curved toward theperiphery of the pulleys 44. Idler pulley 47 is pivotally supported at49 to a pair of arms 50 pivotally supported to the frame at 51. A spring52 connects the arms 50 with a fixed point on the frame, the springtending to urge the idle roller 47 toward the pulleys 44. A fixed guide53 is provided on the apparatus frame which is substantially alignedwith one reach of the belts 45, but is offset slightly therefrom.

The apparatus described comprises the means for collapsing the fillers Bfrom the rectangular form in which they are made to a substantially flatform in which the intersecting paper strips are in face contact. Thefillers B are deposited upon the conveyor belt 24 from the outlet of thefiller forming machine, which is not shown in the drawings. The belt 24drives the fillers B across the dead plate 35 until the leading edges ofthe fillers engage the belts 45. Movement of the belts 45 causes theleading edge of the fillers to be moved to the left as viewed in FIGURE1 of the drawings. The guide 46 prevents the entire filler from beingmoved laterally, and guides the leading edge of the filler between thepulleys 44 and the idle pulley 47. The filler is then engaged betweenthe pulleys and the roller and are forced laterally over the end edge 54of the dead plate 33 and against the guide 53.

i As indicated in FIGURES 2 and 6 of the drawings, a pair of angulararms 56 each having generally vertically extending arm portions 57 andgenerally horizontally extending portions 59 are pivotally connected tothe apparatus frame 14 by a transverse pivot shaft 60. As shown inFIGURE 5, one of the arms 56 is provided with an angularly extendingextension 61 which is attached to the arm portion 57, and which pivotswith the arm 56. A spring 62 connects the end of the arm 61 to theapparatus frame and acts to bias the arms 56 toward the positionindicated in FIGURE 5. The horizontal end 59 of each arm 56 supports avertical pivot 63 which supports a roller 64. As indicated in FIGURE 1of the drawings, the rollers 64 are supported forwardly of the guide 63forming a channel therebetween for accommodation of the collapsedfillers B.

A pair of spaced parallel angle members 66 are supported by the frame 14at right angular relation to the guide 53. As may be seen in FIGURE 2 ofthe drawings, these angle members 66 support parallel rails 67 which aredesigned to support the collapsed fillers B on opposite sides of thecenter line thereof. A pusher plate 69 is recessed into the guide 53 andis slidable over the rails 67. A pneumatic cylinder 70 is supported onthe frame of the apparatus extending with its axis normal to the surfaceof the pusher plate. A piston rod 71 connects the pusher plate 69 to apiston within the cylinder 70. Upon actuation of the piston within thecylinder 70, the pusher plate operates to force a collapsed filler Bfrom its position between the guide 53 and the roller 64 and anaccumulating position shown by the dotted outline 72 in FIGURE 1 of thedrawings. During the advancement of the pusher plate 69, the rollersupporting arms 56 are pivoted out of the path of the fillers. However,the rollers 64 tend to hold the collapsed fillers in an upright positionduring the initial movement of the pressure plate.

A pair of parallel spaced arms 73 are attached to one upright framemember 14 and extend in cantilever arrangement-above the rails 69.The'under surfaces of the arms 73 are preferably provided with ayieldable cushioning material 74 which may frictionally engage the uppersurfaces of the collapsed fillers B. The rails 69 may also comprise, orbe equipped with a cushioning means for frictionally engaging the loweredges of the collapsed fillers. As an example, foam rubber may beemployed, and

brush bristles have also been very successfully employed, the free endsof the bristles extending in opposed relation above and below thefillers. The purpose of this arrangement is to hold the fillers in anupright position as they are accumulated.

A means is provided for moving a predetermined number of collapsedfillers from accumulating position to discylinder 75 is pivoted throughthe operation of a gen- I erally vertical cylinder which is pivotallyconnected at its lower end as indicated at 81 to a portion of the frameof the apparatus and which is provided with a piston rod 82 pivotallyconnected at 83 to a bracket 84 secured to the end of the cylinder 75.In raised position of the piston, the cylinder 75 is elevated to theposition shown in FIGURE 4. When the piston in the cylinder 80 islowcred, a cylinder 75 assumes the position shown in FIG- URE 5.

The piston rod 77 is normally in its extended position which isillustrated in FIGURES 1 and 5 of the drawings; When in this position,the pusher plate 79 is rearwardly of the accumulator position 72, shownin dotted outlines in FIGURE 1. The cylinder 75 remains in this positionduring the accumulation of a predetermined number of collapsed fillers Bin this accumulating position. However, when the proper number. offillers are accumulated, the cylinder 80 is actuated, raising the pistonrod 82 and tilting the cylinder 75 into the position shown in FIGURE 4.Means is then provided for actuating the cylinder 75 to retract thepiston rod 79, the action causing the pusher plate 79 to move theaccumulated fillers into the discharge position shown in FIGURE 5. Apair of rollers 85 are pivotally connected to the ends of arms 86 whichare pivoted at 87 to the arms 73. The movement of the collapsed fillersby the pusher plate 79 swings the arms 86 in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIGURES 4 and 5, the rollers 85 rolling over the upper edgesof the fillers and dropping down rearwardly of the group of fillers asindicated in FIGURE 5 as the fillers reach discharge position. Carriages89 are supported by rollers 90 from movement longitudinally of the anglemembers 66 and these carriages 89 support a transverse angular abutment91 against which the fillers engage during their movement from theaccumulating position to discharge position. The carriages 89 arepreferably returned to starting position when the fillers B had beenmanually removed from discharge position by the flexible tape 92 whichis supported upon'a spring urged reel 93, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The mechanism for controlling the discharge from the accumulator isillustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. A bracket 96 extends rearwardlyfrom one of the frame members 14 and supports a pivot 97 rotatablysupporting the ratchet wheel 99. The pivot 97 also pivotally supports anarm 100 to which a ratchet dog 101 is pivoted. A push rod 102 ispivotally connected to the arm 100 at 103 and slides through a loosebearing 104 on the frame member 14. The pusher plate 69 is provided witha downwardly projecting tongue 105 which engages the push rod 102 whenthe pusher plate moves into retracted position. A spring 106 isconnected to the arm 100 and to the frame and tends to pivot the arm 100in a counterclockwise direction when the pusher plate 69 is projected.As a result of this arrangement, each time the pusher plate 69 isprojected to urge a flattened filler into accumulating An elongated '3position, the return of the pusher plate acts to advance the ratchetwheel one notch by means of the dog 161.

A limit switch M7 is mounted upon the frame and is provided with apivoted arm 189 having a cam projection 1143 thereupon which is engagedby a projection 111 on the ratchet wheel 99. Thus as the ratchet wheelcoinpletes each cycle of operation, the micro switch 1427 is actuated tooperate the cylinder 89.

A micro switch 112 is also mounted upon the frame and is actuated by anarm 113 connected to the cylinder 89. As the piston rod 82 of thecylinder 89 moves toward projected position, the cylinder 39 tilts to alimited extent and the arm 113 operates the micro switch 112. The mannerin which the arm 113 engages the switch 12 is shown in FIGURE 4 of thedrawings.

A micro switch 114 is supported at the outer end of the guide 53 andincludes an operating arm 115 which is in the path of the end of thecollapsed filler as it is moved forwardly of the pusher plate 69 Anadditional micro switch 116 is mounted upon the frame as shown in FIGURE5, and is actuated by a pin or projection 117 on one of the arms 56 whenthe arms as are in normal position as shown in FIGURE 6.

With reference now to FIGURE 8 of the drawings, the motor is connectedto the line wires 12% and 121 through a control switch 122 to drive theconveyor belt 24 and the transfer belt 45 continuously during theoperation of the apparatus. The line wire 121 is connected through amain control switch 123 to a conductor 124 leading to one terminal ofthe switch 114. The other terminal of the switch 114 is connected by aconductor 125 to one terminal of a valve solenoid 125, the otherterminal of which is connected by a conductor 127 to the line wire 12%.

The conductor 124 is also connected to one terminal of the switch 116,the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor 129 to the valvesolenoid 126, which, as was stated, has its other terminal connected tothe line wire 12!).

The conductor 124 is also connected by a conductor 13%] to one terminalof the switch 197, the other terminal of which is connected by conductor131 to the valve solenoid 132. The other terminal of the solenoid 132 isconnected by a conductor 133 to the line wire 12% to complete thecircuit.

The conductor 124 is also connected to one terminal of the switch 112,the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor 13- to the valvesolenoid 135, the other terminal of which is connected by conductor 136to the line wire 12%.

The valve solenoid 126 operates a four-way valve 137 which controls theflow of air from the compressor 139 through the conduits 14-3 and 1 5?.to the cylinder, ill.

The valve solenoid 132 controls the flow of fluid from the compressor139 through the line 149 to the threeway valve 142 which controls theflow of fluid to the cylinder 8% The valve solenoid 135 controls afour-way valve 143 which controls the flow of fluid through the line 144to the cylinder 75.

In operation, the switch 122 is closed to start the conveyor belt 24 andtransfer belts 45 and the main switch 125 is controlled through the aircircuit. A filler is formed by the forming apparatus and deposited uponthe conveyor belt 24. This belt urges the filler against the transferbelts 45 which operate in the manner previously described to flatten thefiller and move it laterally to a position forwardly of the pusher plate69. At this point, the end of the collapsed filler strikes the operatingarm 115 of the switch 114 which closes the circuit from the line wire121 through the switch 114 and conductor 125 to the valve solenoid 126.Operation of the solenoid 126 shifts the valve 137 and startsreciprocation of the piston rod 71 bearing the pusher plate 69.

As the flattened filler is moved toward accumulating position, the arms56 are pivoted, disengaging the projection 117 from the normally openswitch 116 enclosing this switch. This operation closes an alternatecircuit through conductor 129 to the valve solenoid 126 and maintainsthe valve solenoid in position to complete the outward reciprocation ofthe pusher plate 69; Obviously, as soon as the end of the filler isdisengaged from the switch arm 115, the switch 114 is opened and thealternate circuit is required to complete the reciprocation. At the endof the reciprocation, the piston in the cylinder 116 automaticallyreturns to starting position, restoring the circuit to its originalform.

Reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder 70 continues until asuficient number of fillers are accumulated. At this point, the ratchetwheel 99 closes the switch 107, closing a circuit from the conductor 124through the conclusters 13% and 131 as well as through the switch 107 tothe valve solenoid 132, the other terminal of which is connected to theline wire 12% through the conductor 133. Actuation of the solenoid 132operates the valve 142 to ur e the piston in the cylinder hi5 upwardly.This action raises the pusher plate 7% upwardly rearwardly of thefillers.

As the cylinder 75 is swung upwardly, the cylinder tilts slightly,actuating the switch 112 enclosing the circuit from the conductor 124through the switch 112 and the conductor 134 to the valve solenoid 135,the other terminal of which is connected to line Wire 1249' through theconductor 13 This operates the valve 143 to retract the piston rod 77into the cylinder 75, the pusher plate 79 drawing the fillers fromaccumulated position to discharge position. As soon as the next filleris pushed into accu mulated position, the ratchet wheel 99 is rotated,opening the switch 167 and allowing the piston in the cylinder 84) tomove downwardly, thus moving the cylinder 75 in the tilted positionshown in FiGURE 3.

This operation opens the switch 12, opening the circuit to the solenoidand returning the valve 143 to its normal position, and urging thepiston rod 77 and the pusher plate 79 toward projected position.

Due to the fact that the ends of the fillers in collapsed form projecton opposite sides of the supporting rail, or the supporting anglemembers, it is possible for the operator to tie the ends of the bundleof accumulated and discharged fillers, and to place them in a suitablereceptacle. Due to the fact that in collapsed form the center portion ofthe filler is substantially thicker than the end portions thereof, asthe center portion includes more thicknesses of paperboard, the bundleof fillers has convex outer surfaces, permitting the ends of the bundlesto be readily tied or banded together.

Thus it will be seen that much of the labor previously required toaccomplish the filler packaging operation, the apparatus serves a veryuseful purpose. In the past, the rectangular fillers leaving the fillerforming machines were usually manually flattened as they were formed. Asthe fillers usually leave the forming machine at regularly timedintervals, the task of flattening the fillers normally requires the fulltime of one operator. As a result, a second operator was required to tieor band the fillers. Either one or the other of the operators wasrequired to count the fillers so that each bundle contained the samenumber. By automatically flattening and accumulating predeterminednumbers of fillers, one of the two operators may be eliminated.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my improvement in apparatus forassembling and accumulating fillers, and while I have endeavored to setforth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood thatchanges may be made within the scope of the following claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A filler collapsing apparatus for use with fillers comprisingintersecting strips of paperboard foldable from open right angularrelation to closed collapsed relation, the apparatus including'means formoving the filler in open position, conveyor means in the path ofmovement of the open filler and movable in a direction at generallyright angles to the direction of movement of said moving means, saidconveyor means engaging the leading edge of said fillers and moving thesame laterally, and means restraining the trailing edges of the fillersfrom lateral movement and guiding the fillers into (101-.

lapsed form.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which said restraining meanscomprises a curved guide engaging the side of the fillerand extendingtoward said conveyormeans.

' 3. The structure of claim 1 and including a roller adjacent the outletend of said conveyor means, said fillers in collapsed form movingbetween said roller and said conveyor means.

4. A filler accumulating means for use with fillers comprisingintersecting strips of paperboard foldable from open'position with theintersecting strips in right angular relation to collapsed position withsaid intersecting strips in substantially face contact, means for movingsaid open'fillers in a direction parallel to certain of said strips, aconveyor mounted in the path of movement of the leading edge of saidfillers and in a direction substantially parallel to the others of saidstrips, said conveyor being engageable with the leading edges of saidcertain strips to move these leading edges laterally of the firstdirection of movement, means engageable with an edge of said remainingstrips to guide said filler to collapsed form, and plunger meansengageable with said collapsedfillers to move said collapsed fillers ina direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of saidfiller moving means into side by side relation in face contact. I

5. The structure of claim 4 and including means frictionally engagingsaid fillers to hold them' in generally parallel face contact.

6. The structure of claim 4 and in which said fillers are supported withsaid strips in substantially vertical planes throughout said movements.

7. A filler accumulating means for use with fillers comprisingintersecting strips of paperboard foldable from open position with theintersecting strips in right angular relation to collapsed position withsaid intersecting strips in substantially face contact, means for movingsaid open fillers in a direction parallel tocertain of said strips, saidmoving means supporting said strips with the surfaces of said strips insubstantially vertical planes, a conveyor in the path of movement ofsaid fillers and engageable with the leading edges of said certainstrips, said conveyor being movable in a direction generally parallel tothe remaining strips of said fillers, guide means engageable wtih theend edges of certain of said remaining strips to guide said filler tosaid collapsed position as the leading edges of said certain strips aremoved laterally, and means engageable with each said flattened filler tomove the same in a direction generally parallel to the direction ofmovement ofsaid moving means.

8. The structure of claim 7 and including means frictionally engagingthe upper and lower edges of said collapsed fillers upon movement ofsaid means engageable therewith to hold said collapsed fillers with saidstrips in generally vertical planes.

9. The structure of claim 7 and including means hold-' ing saidcollapsed fillers in contacting side by side relation, and meansoperable to move a plurality of side by side collapsed fillers intodischarge position simultaneously.

10. The structure of claim 7 and including control means operable uponmovement of each collapsed filler to a predetermined position to actuatesaid engageable means. i

11. A filler accumulating means for use with fillers comprisingintersecting strips of paperboard foldable from open position with theintersecting strips in right angular relation to collapsed position withsaid intersecting strips in substantially face contact, means for movingsaid open fillers in a direction parallel to certain of said strips,said moving means supporting said strips withthe surfaces of said stripsin substantially vertical planes, a conveyor in the path of movement ofsaid fillers and engageable withthe leading edges of said certainstrips, said conveyor being movable in a direction generally parallel tothe remaining strips of said fillers, guide means engageable With theend edges of certain of said remaining strips to guide said filler tosaid collapsed position as the leading edges of said certain strips aremoved laterally, and plunger means engageable with each flattened fillerand movable in a direction substantially normal to the flattened filler,and means for supporting said fillers moved by said plunger insubstantially face contact.

12. The structure of claim 11 and including control means actuated bymovement of each flattened filler adjacent said plunger to reciprocatesaid plunger.

13. The structure of claim 11 and including discharge means engageablewith said flattened fillers in said supporting means and operable tosimultaneously move the same from said supporting means.

14. The structure of claim 11 and including a second plunger meansoperable to simultaneously remove a plurality of flattened fillers fromsaid supporting means.

15. The structure of claim 14 and including control means operable uponreciprocation of said first named plunger means to actuate said secondplunger means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,381,620 Russell Aug. 7, 1945 2,660,949 Russell Dec. 1, 1953 2,671,385Johenning et al. Mar. 9, 1954

1. A FILLER COLLAPSING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH FILLERS COMPRISINGINTERSECTING STRIPS OF PAPERBOARD FOLDABLE FROM OPEN RIGHT ANGULARRELATION TO CLOSED COLLAPSED RELATION, THE APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FORMOVING THE FILLER IN OPEN POSITION, CONVEYOR MEANS IN THE PATH OFMOVEMENT OF THE OPEN FILLER AND MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION AT GENERALLYRIGHT ANGLES TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVING MEANS, SAIDCONVEYOR MEANS ENGAGING THE LEADING EDGE OF SAID FILLERS AND MOVING THESAME LATERALLY, AND MEANS RESTRAINING THE TRAILING EDGES OF THE FILLERS